Here at the University of Louisville, students are required to pay a student recreation fee, which allows them to work out at the Student Recreation Center (SRC) throughout the fall and spring semesters. However, many students, especially women and non-binary individuals, often feel uncomfortable working out at the SRC or even attempting to visit the SRC. Female and non-binary students alike even buy gym memberships off campus with places such as Planet Fitness to avoid our student gym. With UofL being the most diverse and "accepting" university in the state of Kentucky, this is not at all how things should be.  

To fix this issue, we urge the Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports to establish a daily designated time slot where only women and non-binary persons can work out in the SRC. By implementing this measure, the Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports could truly help create a more welcoming environment as stated in their goals. Moreover, female and non-binary students at UofL would likely feel more inclined to visit the SRC and be able to improve their physical, emotional, and social well-being.  

I find myself passionate about this topic due to not only my personal experience with the SRC in the past 5 semesters, but also concerns brought up by my sorority sisters, classmates, and friends. Working out and weightlifting have proven to be not only therapeutic but life changing as well. Knowing that the male presence in the SRC discourages women and non-binary students from receiving the benefits of working out is devastating. In my time at the SRC, several times I've found it difficult to complete full workouts for various reasons, whether it's being asked how many sets I have left when I have just started, getting stared at and feeling insecure or sexualized, becoming intimidated by the male presence in the SRC, etc. Men often occupy the main floor as well as the second-floor area with benches and free weights. As a result of this, women and non-binary individuals typically opt for machines rather than free weight stations. Female and non-binary students should be able to use these spaces freely and comfortably like their male counterparts.     

The intended goal is to get as many signatures from UofL students as possible so we can present this solution to the Student Government Association (SGA) President as well as the Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports. Please sign and share!